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Origin of Cs-bearing silicate glass microparticles observed during Fukushima accident and recommendations on nuclear safety

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Abstract

There has been considerable debate about the formation mechanisms of Cs-bearing silicate glass microparticles (CsMPs) (Types A–E) released uniquely during the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station accident. The author proposed that these CsMPs were formed because the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or the insulation materials in the reactor building melted and atomized during the hydrogen explosion. However, this hypothesis is complex because it includes the interdisciplinary issues between the thermohydraulics in the reactor and atmospheric dispersion. This paper describes the basis of the hypothesis, verification, future issues, and recommendations from the viewpoint of improving nuclear safety.

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Acknowledgements

In preparing this manuscript, the author first consulted with other journals to evaluate whether the manuscript met the requirements for writing a review paper. Consequently, the journals judged that the requirements were not met from the viewpoint of background, importance, progress, and future development directions. However, the Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry acknowledged the significance of this manuscript and provided the author a valuable opportunity to publish it. The author wants to express his gratitude again. The author also wants to thank Dr. Mizuo Kajino from the Meteorological Research Institute for his understanding of the significance of this manuscript, his motivation for the author to prepare this review paper, and for his technical comments. Special thanks are also due to Dr. Shinichi Toyama and Dr. Satoshi Abe of Japan Atomic Energy Agency for discussing the heat transfer from high-speed hot gases to the SGTS piping. The author also would like to thank Dr. Shinichi Goto of Niigata University for his technical suggestions on gasification of carbon.

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  1. Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai-Mura, Naka-Gun, Ibaraki-ken, 319-1195, Japan

    Akihide Hidaka

  2. Institute for Research Promotion, Niigata University, 8050 Ninomachi, Ikarashi, Nishi-Ku, Niigata-Shi, Niigata-Ken, 950-2181, Japan

    Akihide Hidaka

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Hidaka, A. Origin of Cs-bearing silicate glass microparticles observed during Fukushima accident and recommendations on nuclear safety. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 1607–1623 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-08846-z

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